Qatar Airways is marking the first anniversary of its successful Kano (KAN) and Port Harcourt (PHC) services, which have facilitated increased passenger traffic and commerce between these important West African hubs and the rest of the world.
The multi-award-winning airline launched the four weekly flights to Kano on 2 March 2022 and the next day started three weekly services to Port Harcourt. Both operate via Abuja using one the state-of-the-art Boeing B787 Dreamliner.
The new services made Nigeria Qatar Airways’ most connected market in Africa, bolstering the double-daily schedule to Lagos and daily Abuja flights. It also expanded the airline’s presence in Africa to more than 190 weekly flights serving 28 destinations across the continent.
Hendrik du Preez, Qatar Airways’ Vice-President Africa, said: “Kano is Nigeria’s second largest city and an important cultural, commercial and trade hub. The four weekly services have helped meet passenger and cargo demand from the UAE and India.
“The three Port Harcourt flights link Nigeria’s petroleum hub to the world’s financial and petrochemical capitals. There has been good reciprocal demand between Port Harcourt and destinations in the USA and UK.
“Africa is one of Qatar Airways’ key growth regions in its global network and milestones such as these anniversaries underpin our investment in and commitment to the continent.”
In addition to opening the Kano and Port Harcourt routes, since the pandemic Qatar Airways started operations to Luanda, Harare and Lusaka and reinstated flights to Windhoek. More recently it announced a comprehensive codeshare with Airlink in South Africa. This gives travellers to and from southern Africa, more choice, enhanced services and greater connectivity between 45 destinations in 13 countries across the region.
To mark the anniversaries, Qatar Airways is offering up to 30% discount on the fares from Nigeria to the rest of the world. The offer is valid until 15 March 2023.
A multiple award-winning airline, Qatar Airways was named the ‘Airline of the Year’ at the 2022 World Airline Awards, managed by the international air transport rating organisation, Skytrax. The airline continues to be synonymous with excellence having won the main prize for an unprecedented seventh time (2011, 2012, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2021 and 2022), while also being named ‘World’s Best Business Class’, ‘World’s Best Business Class Lounge Dining’ and ‘Best Airline in the Middle East’.
Qatar Airways currently flies to more than 150 destinations worldwide, connecting through its Doha hub, Hamad International Airport, named the ‘Best Airport in the World” by Skytrax World Airport Awards 2022.
